US5202173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ultra soft cloth-like embossed plastic film having post-embossed stretched areas
Assignee: Clopay Plastic Products Co Inc
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Filing: 1992-01-13
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Granted: 1993-04-13
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Expires: 2012-01-13
Abstract
Abstract An embossed plastic film is made ultra soft and cloth-like by providing a plurality or post-embossed stretched areas along lines that are spaced uniformly across its width and length. The stretched areas are thinner than the unstretched areas. Films also have unique textures and offer cloth-like or non-woven appearances.
Inventors
- 👤 Pai-Chuan Wu
- 👤 Thomas R. Ryle
- 👤 Robert M. Mortellite
- 👤 J. David Toppen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51498; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/494; A61F13/51474; A61F13/51476; B; B29; B29C; B29C55/00; B29C55/02; B29C55/18; B29C59/00; B29C59/02; B29C59/022; B29D; B29D7/00; B29D7/01; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/47; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/91; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24595; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24669; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An ultra soft embossed plastic film suitable for use as a cloth or fabric having the appearance and feel of non-woven or woven fabric and having liquid barrier properties comprising: a thermoplastic film selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof having a thickness on the order of about 0.5 to about 10 mils and a pattern embossed therein in its normal unstretched state having thick and thin areas and a plurality of post-embossed stretched areas along lines spaced substantially uniformly across the surface areas on both sides of the embossed film, said stretched areas being separated by unstretched areas and having a thickness less than the unstretched areas, said thin areas of said embossed plastic film in its normal unstretched state being stretched preferentially to the thick areas due to the lower resistance to the stretching force, said film being ultra soft and quiet when used as a cloth or fabric upon comparison with the embossed plastic film in its normal unstretched state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An ultra soft embossed plastic film suitable for use as a cloth or fabric having the appearance and feel of non-woven or woven fabric and having liquid barrier properties comprising: a thermoplastic film selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof having a thickness on the order of about 0.5 to about 10 mils and a pattern embossed therein in its normal unstretched state having thick and thin areas and a plurality of post-embossed stretched areas along lines spaced substantially uniformly across the surface areas on both sides of the embossed film, said stretched areas being separated by unstretched areas and having a thickness less than the unstretched areas, said thin areas of said embossed plastic film in its normal unstretched state being stretched preferentially to the thick areas due to the lower resistance to the stretching force, said film being ultra soft and quiet when used as a cloth or fabric upon comparison with the embossed plastic film in its normal unstretched state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The film of claim 1 for use as a liquid barrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film of claim 1 further comprising perforations in the stretched areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The film of claim 1 wherein said stretched areas provide said embossed film with a visible texture of raised ribs and channels therebetween caused by stretching on both sides of the film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The film of claim 4 wherein said ribs and channels extend substantially continuously diagonally to the free edges of the film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film of claim 4 wherein said ribs and channels extend substantially continuously and perpendicularly to the free edges of said film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film of claim 4 wherein said ribs and channels extend substantially continuously and parallel to the free edges of the film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film of claim 1 embossed with a pattern selected from the group consisting of woven fabric, non-woven fabric and matte finish.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The film of claim 1 embossed with a pattern of raised bosses surrounded by substantially perpendicularly intersecting channels on one side of the film overlying on the opposite side corresponding depressions and perpendicularly intersecting ridges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The film of claim 1 embossed with a pattern of irregularly shaped bosses surrounded by irregularly shaped channels on one side of the film overlying on the opposite side corresponding irregularly shaped depressions and irregularly shaped ridges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
215 words
An ultra soft embossed plastic film suitable for use as a cloth or fabric having the appearance and feel of non-woven or woven fabric and having liquid barrier properties comprising: an embossed thermoplastic film selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof having a thickness on the order of about 0.5 to about 10 mils and a pattern in its normal unstretched state having thick and thin areas of raised bosses and depressions on one side of the film overlying on the opposite side of the film corresponding depressions and bosses, said pattern selected from the group consisting of woven fabric, non-woven fabric and matte finish, said film having a plurality of post-embossed stretched areas along lines that are spaced substantially uniformly and completely across the surface areas on both sides of the film, said stretched areas being separated by unstretched areas of said embossed pattern and said stretched areas having a thickness less than the unstretched areas, said thin areas of said embossed plastic film in its normal unstretched state being stretched preferentially to the thick areas due to the lower resistance to the stretching force, said film being ultra soft and quiet when used as a cloth or fabric upon comparison with said embossed film in its normal unstretched state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
215 words
An ultra soft embossed plastic film suitable for use as a cloth or fabric having the appearance and feel of non-woven or woven fabric and having liquid barrier properties comprising: an embossed thermoplastic film selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof having a thickness on the order of about 0.5 to about 10 mils and a pattern in its normal unstretched state having thick and thin areas of raised bosses and depressions on one side of the film overlying on the opposite side of the film corresponding depressions and bosses, said pattern selected from the group consisting of woven fabric, non-woven fabric and matte finish, said film having a plurality of post-embossed stretched areas along lines that are spaced substantially uniformly and completely across the surface areas on both sides of the film, said stretched areas being separated by unstretched areas of said embossed pattern and said stretched areas having a thickness less than the unstretched areas, said thin areas of said embossed plastic film in its normal unstretched state being stretched preferentially to the thick areas due to the lower resistance to the stretching force, said film being ultra soft and quiet when used as a cloth or fabric upon comparison with said embossed film in its normal unstretched state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The film of claim 11 having an embossed depth of from about 1 to about 10 mils.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The film of claim 12 wherein said thickness is from about 0.5 to about 2 mils and said embossed pattern depth is from about 1 to about 10 mils.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film of claim 11 wherein said thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of ultra low, low and medium density polyethylene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |